The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has launched a scathing attack on what he described as an illegal and politically motivated move to remove the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
He also firmly declared that no amount of pressure would push him out of the party he has long supported and helped build.
Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja, Wike accused some party leaders of orchestrating a crisis in order to oust the National Secretary, who he emphasized was democratically elected at a national convention and not appointed.
“You cannot just wake up and say a National Secretary should go. Who gave that order?” Wike asked rhetorically. “He was elected, not appointed. So if someone is to leave, it should be those who believe in impunity, not someone elected by the entire party.”
Wike linked the controversy to broader efforts within the PDP to sideline him and distort internal agreements previously reached among key stakeholders.
He recounted a series of meetings — first in Lagos with former governors of Abia and Benue, then at his Abuja residence, and finally at the home of former Senate President Bukola Saraki — in which agreements were made to maintain unity and order within the party’s leadership ranks.
According to Wike, those same individuals who were part of these consensus-building meetings later turned around to undermine the agreements for personal political gains.
“We all sat and agreed, but now people are pretending nothing was agreed. What kind of politics is that?” he asked.
Wike, visibly agitated, warned that he would not remain silent while the PDP leadership is manipulated by “undertakers,” as he referred to some elements in the party.
“This impunity and injustice will not stand. PDP is not anyone’s personal property. I will continue to speak the truth,” he said.
He strongly rejected calls by some party members and their allies suggesting that he should exit the PDP.
“Let me make it clear: I am not the one to leave the party. If you’re uncomfortable with truth, with principles, with justice — then you leave. I won’t,” he stated emphatically.
The minister criticised the constitutionality of the last National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held to discuss the Secretary’s removal, arguing that no valid notice was issued by the Secretary himself, as required by party rules.
“They claimed there was a NEC meeting, but who issued the notice? The Secretary didn’t. Under our party constitution, he is the only one who can do that,” Wike explained.
He said attempts to remove Anyanwu without due process amounted to an outright disregard for the rule of law.
“The Secretary is not dead, not sick. He hasn’t resigned. So, why try to push him out? If you’re doing that, then you’re killing the very soul of the PDP,” Wike warned.
Wike also touched on the broader decline of the PDP’s influence in its traditional strongholds in the South-South region, citing Delta and Akwa Ibom as examples. He blamed party leadership failures and arrogance for the erosion of support.
“You had intelligence that Delta was slipping, Akwa Ibom too. What did you do? Nothing. Instead of engaging, you said, ‘Let them go.’ That’s not how an opposition party survives,” he stated.
On his continued support for President Bola Tinubu despite remaining in the PDP, Wike defended his position and denied being a liability to the opposition party.
“I am not a liability. I am an asset. Whether you agree or not, whether you like me or not, it doesn’t matter. I am an asset to this country’s political structure,” he insisted.
He also dismissed claims that he’s fueling crisis in Rivers State or working against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, saying he’s been wrongly vilified by people he once supported.
“There’s no crisis from my side. I gave my all — support, resources, everything — to ensure success, and what do I get in return? Betrayal. It’s like raising a son who turns around to shoot you,” Wike said, his tone turning personal.
He acknowledged that some within the party are playing politics of deceit and manipulation, but said the public deserves to know the truth.
“Let the public know what’s going on. Deny what I said — not insult me. That’s what matters. You don’t protect a party by covering up lies. You protect it by standing on truth,” he said.
Wike warned that those pushing for arbitrary decisions and political impunity would not succeed. “This party will not die. Not on our watch. We’ll fight to keep it alive, and no one — I repeat, no one — can force me out of it,” he said.
Wike’s blunt statements come at a turbulent time for the PDP, which is grappling with internal divisions, declining electoral fortunes, and increasing questions about its leadership’s commitment to party discipline and democratic processes.